Just because you are getting older doesn’t mean that life has to slow down. People who stay active or who become more active when they get older are stronger and more flexible. They are able to walk up stairs or carry groceries with ease. Overall, they report a better quality of life. Research shows that it is being less active—not the natural aging process—that is the cause for much of the decline in strength and mobility and the increase in illness that occurs as we get older. Being active is even more important if you have diabetes. Physical activity can increase your body’s ability to use the insulin it makes, decrease blood glucose levels and reduce blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. But if you have difficulty walking, have poor balance or are new to exercise, just getting started can be a challenge. One option that many people are not aware of is that they can get exercise even while sitting down. Sitting exercises, such as chair aerobics, stretches or weight training, are a great way to keep fit. You can get started by taking a class at your local community center, health club, YMCA, senior center or hospital. There [...]]]>
Has anyone ever said to you, “Don’t worry, diabetes isn’t very serious for older people?” Although they may be trying to make you feel better, it isn’t very good advice. Most people not only want to live long but they want to live well. Taking care of your diabetes and keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure as close to normal as possible lowers your risks for diabetes complications. That also means you have a better chance of being healthy and independent longer. As we get older, we tend to think more about health. We realize that we can’t take our health for granted. When we are younger, it’s easy to think that we are going to take care of ourselves “tomorrow,” but as the years go by suddenly tomorrow is here. Each day becomes more precious. Some things about aging make it harder to care for diabetes. You may have other health problems to take care of every day. It can be hard to manage everything or afford all of the different pills and supplies. Some people find that their tastes and eating patterns change. It can be hard to eat if you are alone or your spouse can [...]]]>
When people reach middle age, they often think about how to spend their Golden Years. Most of us picture those years as a time when we get to do all the things we enjoy but don’t have time to do when work, family and other day-to-day tasks keep us busy. Planning for your Golden Years is something you can do when you are having a bad day or you are feeling overwhelmed by all you need to get done. One of the ways most people plan for their senior years is by saving money so they can be secure and have financial resources to do what they want. While having the resources you need is important, most people dream about being healthy enough to do what they want to do in their Golden Years. Just like you need to start saving your money well before retirement, there are also steps you can take now to ensure your good health in the future. The Four Steps To Staying Healthy As You Age A large study showed that there are four steps to help middle aged people stay healthy as they get older. 1. Eat fruits and vegetables. 2. Exercise. 3. Drink [...]]]>